La Chalcedon It is a precious stone derived from the group of quartz minerals that has volcanic origin. It is a fairly abundant stone and easy to find throughout the world. Learn all about it and its uses here.
What is chalcedony?
It is scientifically proven that chalcedony is not its own mineral species but that it derives from a cryptocrystalline alteration of quartz. Despite being a variety of this mineral, it is popularly known among collectors and experts as a separate species.
Chalcedony has a microcrystalline form and comes from the group of oxides with siliceous formula (SiO2). There is a possibility that chalcedony is the result of the natural combination between moganite (quartz polygon) and quartz.
The term chalcedony can be applied to any variety of quartz that is in cryptocrystalline or microcrystalline form. Commonly this term refers to a specific species of chalcedony also known as "royal chalcedony".
Its name is said to be derived from an ancient coastal town that is now part of Turkey.
How to identify chalcedony?
The color of this gemstone usually varies between shades of blue, white or gray. This mineral stands out for its translucency, its null level of refraction and its solid and clear colors. It is very common to find chalcedony in multiple colors and variations of its shades.
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This mineral has a relatively fine hexagonal crystallization and usually occurs in radial, stalactite, or spirally stacked forms.
types of chalcedony
Popularly, chalcedony can be considered as a broad category of stones that have the same structure and chemical composition. The specimens are distinguishable thanks to their appearance. Here are some of the more popular variations:
- Jasper: It is a variety of chalcedony with a dense microcrystalline structure. It can be obtained with very varied colors such as orange, red, and brown due to the deposits of volcanic origin in its structure.
- Agate: Agate is a stone characterized by white, green, blue, red, yellow, orange, brown, pink, purple, black and gray bands inside it.
- Blue chalcedony: Its appearance has pastel shades, colorless and dry.
- Chrysoprase: It stands out for having a rich green color and is distinguished chemically by having compounds such as nickel in its structure.
- Sardinian: Sardinian is the variation of chalcedony whose appearance is characterized by being copper in color.
- Prasium quartz: This derivative of quartz has large amounts of actinolite, a mineral that gives it its characteristic dark green hue.
- Cornelian: Carnelian is the variation of quartz that is distinguished by its striking and intense orange color.
- Heliotrope: The heliotrope is one of the variations that mutates the most over time, such is the presence of iron oxide in its composition that reddish spots can be found on its exterior.
- plasma: Plasma is one of the minerals derived from the chalcedony category that has a high level of chlorite and iron oxide in its chemical structure.
chemical structure
Chalcedony is part of the trigonal crystalline system, it is almost translucent and its surface has a dull vitreous luster. It has a conchoidal fracture rate and is a relatively hard material, obtaining a score of 7 on the Mohs scale with a density of 2,6.
It is composed of silica dioxide and is capable of dissolving in hydrofluoric acid. It is commonly found with fluorescent and triboluminescent qualities and has piezoelectric factors that allow it to absorb certain amounts of electrical energy.
Deposits and exploitation
Chalcedony is a fairly easy mineral to find, as it is in great abundance around the world. It does not have a specific training environment; it can be found in regularly closed rock cavities that are often lined with crystals.
Numerous species of chalcedony have important deposits in cities of Poland, Switzerland and Spain.
On the other hand, there are a large number of chrysoprase deposits in Australia and Madagascar. There are sources of extraction of the chalcedony variation of tiger's eye in South Africa.
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A high number of chalcedony deposits can also be found throughout Brazil, Venezuela, the United States and China.
Many of the specimens that fall into the category of chalcedony have a significant material value, however, blue chalcedony is the one with the highest value in the market, thus being the one with the highest demand for extraction.
Do you want to know about other derivatives of quartz? Take a look at our interesting article on the pink quartz.
The specimens that constitute a higher value in the market for this stone are usually found in different deposits in Namibia and the largest number of these are used for the manufacture of gems, undergoing a process of manipulation and pigmentation before being put up for sale.
Uses of Chalcedony
Chalcedony is a very versatile stone, it can be found being used in numerous fields, such as jewelry, blacksmithing and medicine.
Jewelry
For a long time in ancient times, chalcedony was known as one of the most valuable gemstones. There is a record that in the Mediterranean, this mineral was popular as a prestigious jewel from the bronze age.
Thanks to the numerous archaeological finds, there is evidence of seals, jewelry manifestations and everyday tools made of chalcedony that took place 3800 years ago.
The qualities of this variety of quartz make it an ornamental stone par excellence. Around the world, distribution for decorative purposes has expanded in the market massively, so finding it both in its natural form and processed and ready for sale is extremely easy today.
The easiest variations to find on the market are carnelian and agate. Chalcedony, however, can vary greatly in economic value, thanks to the fact that specimens can be found at a fairly affordable price while other variations of chalcedony can be located at a relatively high price.
Industrial use of chalcedony
The sub-species of chalcedony that have a higher price are chrysoprase and chrysocolla. The expansion of the esoteric market for this magnificent stone is due to the fact that it is a relatively abundant and easy to manipulate mineral. It is very simple, compared to other stones, to process it and transform it into tools and jewelry of all kinds.
The industrial use of this derivative of quartz varies widely, but it is frequently used in the manufacture of sandpaper around the world. Like quartz, the different types of chalcedony are made into optical instruments, wobble plates, and clocks.
As a spiritual resource
Native American tribes considered it a sacred stone. These used the stone as a ceremonial resource, since it intensified and strengthened the ties between groups and optimized communication with the ancestors.
Chalcedony is a powerful stone that focuses its energies on creating bonds of love and trust, improving every aspect of the brotherhood of a group of individuals, and enhancing the independent factors that each human being has in relation to their neighbors.
The stone favors the individual's abilities to generate and strengthen alliances, stabilizes group emotions and is also responsible for getting rid of negative emotions such as rivalry, resentment, discord and envy. It optimizes role qualities such as leadership and establishes harmony energy in a certain group of people.
Emotional benefits
The stone also works to promote positive feelings such as empathy, mercy, good will and by harmonizing the body, soul and mind, it sows all kinds of feelings of benevolence, humility and generosity.
Here you will find everything you need to know about the human virtues.
It helps to open the soul to new positive energies, improving the confidence and security of those who possess it, repairing self-esteem and social perception. The mineral is very useful for when there are internal fears that encourage feelings such as hostility and contempt.
The metaphysical capabilities of This variety of quartz also promotes important qualities between relationships such as emotional responsibility, responsiveness and broadens the perception of other people's feelings.
It favors the understanding of other people's circumstances and comprehension, in addition to separating one's own feelings from those of others.
Health benefits
The different effects of chalcedony on the human body show that it is a relatively effective treatment to counteract the consequences of leukemia.
The different types of chalcedony are very useful in dealing with the symptoms of fever, flu, different intestinal problems and upset stomach. To all this, the healing powers of this common mineral have a greater effect on problems of ocular origin than other types of precious stones.
By carrying this stone with them, an individual is able to restore their physical energy and stabilize the psyche's connection to the soul to eradicate anxiety, distractions, and indecision.
It is very easy to activate the effects of this stone in the different aspects, for this it is enough to hang it from a necklace or ring, preferably one that has been in your possession for some time; this will consistently increase the various benefits of chalcedony.
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